Why We Should Be Prosecuted For Statements Made On Social Media

‘Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me’ (The Christian Recorder). This is the infamous saying that many have heard since they were young. With vastly growing technology today, face to face bullying is being replaced with what is known as ‘cyberbullying’. Cyberbullying is defined as, “an aggressive intentional act carried out by a group or individual using electronic forms of contact repeatedly and over against a victim who cannot easily defend him or herself” (WebMD). It can take place using cell phones, computers, tablets, social media sites, text messaging, and/or chat rooms. Cyberbullying has become a growing awareness nationwide, prompting lawmakers to act and propose new laws making cyberbullying a

Many people than ever are being victims of cyberbullying due to the increase use of the Internet, and social media. The victims of cyberbullying are affected in a negative way at school, home, and with friends. Cyber Bullies should be prosecuted for negative comments made on social media. Many people are victims of cyber bullies on social media.

Cyberbullying is an everyday situation for teenagers around the world. Many teenagers suffer from bullies that are treating them badly and differently than other people. Individuals should be prosecuted for statements made on social media because of the impact that it has on the victim. The cyberbully should be prosecuted because of how the victim reacts to the situation, how the bully harrasses them, and how it spreads around the internet.

Social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are huge contributors to cyberbullying. These social network sites grant their members the privilege to engage in the actions of the attacker which is a menace. A majority of the cyberbullied population have committed suicide due to the abusive comments. Cyberbullying has gone into a hyper drive with new devices and faster types of social media.

In closing, individuals should be prosecuted for statements made on social media, no questions asked! This action should be taken because cyberbullying affects teens more than you think and technology has become an essential and vital part of our society, homes, and lives. Imagine if you were the helpless and scared victim of a cyberbullying attack? What would you want done for you to stop the vicious, endless cycle of

“...1 in 3 teens [have] admitted to being a victim of cyberbullying…” says child psychologist, Eden Foster, in reference to a survey, talked about in “The Dangers of Cyberbullying” by Brett Warke, that shows the absolute significance of cyberbullying in this day and age. Cyberbullying on social media is everywhere and it’s about time that someone took some action against it, and, in this case, taking legal action via prosecution may be the best way to go. Let it not be said that cyberbullying and bullying are different, infact, the only difference is the platform they take place on. Cyberbullying is done with the same malicious intent as face-to-face bullying is done with: the intent to hurt a victim in a psychological or physical way- showing

Today , cyberbullying is an enormous problem all over the world . It should be a mandatory law that Social media sites , such as , Facebook , Twitter , Instagram and many more sites be regularly surveillance for content of bullying , racism , and bigotry , then just moderately monitored by the sites themselves . Bullying , on social media sites consists of negative comments and/or pictures used towards another individual/individuals . For instance , Bullying , has always been an issue but over the years this has certainly changed . Children were often bullied (1)in schools and their home community neighbourhoods . Today , as this is still an issue , it now has increased since internet is used more often in today's technologies , is also used

Some people believe that the internet is “designed for opinions, rants, and invective” (Source C). They use that excuse to justify their actions whether their comments are friendly or not. In another case, more than 50 students protest a principal’s decision to suspend a student for cyberbullying. The students that did participate in the sit-in expressed that the student accused of cyberbullying was “exerting his rights to post what he pleases” (Source B). These accounts prove that the bullies know what they are doing is wrong and are aware of the potential outcome of their words. When students are accused of cyberbullying another person, they often find an excuse for what they did; the First Amendment of the Constitution. However, if these adolescents felt as if  their comments were not wrong in any way, they would not bother to look for an excuse when being

The freedom of speech is a part of the bill of rights-obviously important enough to be one of the first things mentioned. Just as it was important in 1771, our freedoms are well established today in 2015. Here in the age of technology, the internet is where the crime takes place and all could be victims. The founding fathers didn’t write the bill of rights concerned with our Facebook rants and who they can be directed to. So finding a solution to fit a 1771 document in today’s problems can be difficult.

Every day, millions of people use social media to either converse with their peers or to post pictures. There has been much discussion on whether or not individuals should be prosecuted for rude statements made on social media. Individuals should not be prosecuted for derogative statements made on social media. Although some may say that prosecuting cyberbullies for statements made on social media is beneficial, it would have many negative consequences. Prosecuting individuals for statements made on the internet would discourage personal responsibility, be a violation of the first amendment, and squander tax payers' money.

Sticks and Stones may break your bones but words never hurt, but in reality, words cut deep. Cyberbullying is on the rise and more people are taking their lives due to another person(s) choice of words and actions. Someone has to take a stand against it, cyberbullies should be prosecuted. It has become a bigger issue than face to face bullying. Cyberbullying is permanent and inescapable as technology progresses with time it lasts forever. They way that social media networks are set up its possible for something to go viral within a matter of seconds. Some people argue that prosecution violates the 1st Amendment; others might say it doesn’t cause any bodily harm. The effects that cyberbullying may have on someone physically, mentally, and emotionally should be enough, criminalizing cyberbullying would reduce the number of victims. No one deserves to be trapped.

Williams (2008) and Papandrea (2012) are both law review articles about social media. While Williams focuses on student use including, Papandrea reviews legal cases that affect educators. Williams presents various challenges concerning use of social media including cyberbullying to free speech. Papandrea addresses free speech as well, but presents it from the educators view point. Additionally, free speech in the context of employment is addressed.

Should people be prosecuted for saying certain things on social media? People should be prosecuted for saying mean things in social media because it can lead to many different harmful situations. They should be prosecuted because it can threaten lives, can cause their personal lives to get worse, and can threaten both the victim and the cyberbullies reputation.

The right to free speech is one of the most precious rights an individual has as a citizen of the United States of America. This right gives people the opportunity to speak their mind and give their opinions of what they think should happen. These rights have been questioned and exercised throughout history, and have produced extremely positive things in a lot of cases. In modern times, people are always protesting something and in the colonial times it was the same. People wanted their voice to be heard and as long as it is done in a peaceful manner it is legal now, but it resulted in punishment for the colonists. People have never questioned whether or not these rights should exist, the questions involve whether there should be limits or not. No matter what side the authorities take, there are only two main points to deal with cyberstalking: free speech is an essential right, but it should not be meant to include hate speech.

As social media gets popular and provides an easier access to the Internet, the more difficult it gets to control people’s outburst. Many people wonder, “What is the difference between traditional bullying and cyber bullying?” “What is cyber bullying?” Traditional bullying is when a person is bullying another person face to face. However, with cyber bullying is different. Cyber bullying occurs through out social media and on the Internet. Once in a while I overhear a person questioning about how teens and young kids use social media like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and etc. Social media has its pros and cons, pro because it gives us an easier to access to sources when we need it right away. Social media also has its cons because social media is very powerful tools, which can be taken advantage of like for example, making shanky comments on pictures or post inappropriate information about another person. Therefore, how fast is cyberbullying expending? How can we use the Internet in a positive way? Two great essays by Jesse Fleck, Leigh Johnson-Migalski, Jemica Carter, and Feleta Wilson explain these reasoning’s.